6 research outputs found
Decentralized Autonomous Navigation Strategies for Multi-Robot Search and Rescue
In this report, we try to improve the performance of existing approaches for
search operations in multi-robot context. We propose three novel algorithms
that are using a triangular grid pattern, i.e., robots certainly go through the
vertices of a triangular grid during the search procedure. The main advantage
of using a triangular grid pattern is that it is asymptotically optimal in
terms of the minimum number of robots required for the complete coverage of an
arbitrary bounded area. We use a new topological map which is made and shared
by robots during the search operation. We consider an area that is unknown to
the robots a priori with an arbitrary shape, containing some obstacles. Unlike
many current heuristic algorithms, we give mathematically proofs of convergence
of the algorithms. The computer simulation results for the proposed algorithms
are presented using a simulator of real robots and environment. We evaluate the
performance of the algorithms via experiments with real robots. We compare the
performance of our own algorithms with three existing algorithms from other
researchers. The results demonstrate the merits of our proposed solution. A
further study on formation building with obstacle avoidance for a team of
mobile robots is presented in this report. We propose a decentralized formation
building with obstacle avoidance algorithm for a group of mobile robots to move
in a defined geometric configuration. Furthermore, we consider a more
complicated formation problem with a group of anonymous robots; these robots
are not aware of their position in the final configuration and need to reach a
consensus during the formation process. We propose a randomized algorithm for
the anonymous robots that achieves the convergence to a desired configuration
with probability 1. We also propose a novel obstacle avoidance rule, used in
the formation building algorithm.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1402.5188 by
other author
Sensor Network Based Collision-Free Navigation and Map Building for Mobile Robots
Safe robot navigation is a fundamental research field for autonomous robots
including ground mobile robots and flying robots. The primary objective of a
safe robot navigation algorithm is to guide an autonomous robot from its
initial position to a target or along a desired path with obstacle avoidance.
With the development of information technology and sensor technology, the
implementations combining robotics with sensor network are focused on in the
recent researches. One of the relevant implementations is the sensor network
based robot navigation. Moreover, another important navigation problem of
robotics is safe area search and map building. In this report, a global
collision-free path planning algorithm for ground mobile robots in dynamic
environments is presented firstly. Considering the advantages of sensor
network, the presented path planning algorithm is developed to a sensor network
based navigation algorithm for ground mobile robots. The 2D range finder sensor
network is used in the presented method to detect static and dynamic obstacles.
The sensor network can guide each ground mobile robot in the detected safe area
to the target. Furthermore, the presented navigation algorithm is extended into
3D environments. With the measurements of the sensor network, any flying robot
in the workspace is navigated by the presented algorithm from the initial
position to the target. Moreover, in this report, another navigation problem,
safe area search and map building for ground mobile robot, is studied and two
algorithms are presented. In the first presented method, we consider a ground
mobile robot equipped with a 2D range finder sensor searching a bounded 2D area
without any collision and building a complete 2D map of the area. Furthermore,
the first presented map building algorithm is extended to another algorithm for
3D map building
Feature Papers of Drones - Volume I
[EN] The present book is divided into two volumes (Volume I: articles 1–23, and Volume II: articles 24–54) which compile the articles and communications submitted to the Topical Collection ”Feature Papers of Drones” during the years 2020 to 2022 describing novel or new cutting-edge designs, developments, and/or applications of unmanned vehicles (drones). Articles 1–8 are devoted to the developments of drone design, where new concepts and modeling strategies as well as effective designs that improve drone stability and autonomy are introduced. Articles 9–16 focus on the communication aspects of drones as effective strategies for smooth deployment and efficient functioning are required. Therefore, several developments that aim to optimize performance and security are presented. In this regard, one of the most directly related topics is drone swarms, not only in terms of communication but also human-swarm interaction and their applications for science missions, surveillance, and disaster rescue operations. To conclude with the volume I related to drone improvements, articles 17–23 discusses the advancements associated with autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and enhanced flight plannin